DRONE LEGISLATION ▶▶▶ “The system has active radar systems and
uses real-time kinematic [RTK] global positioning to fly preset routes at location accuracies down to 1cm (0.4in),” Mr Wrangham explains. “Initially we are looking at covering about 1ha/hour [2.47 acres/hour], but if we can prove higher concentrations of active ingredients are safe, this area could be extended.” Mr Wrangham is hopeful this will be
completed successfully by the autumn of 2018. “We could then see the first limited
commercial spraying in 2019, with a wider use developing from 2020.” Beyond that Mr Wrangham suggests that
developing technologies would eventually tie together flight programming with weed and disease surveillance software. Eventually several drones could be sent off
autonomously in groups to tackle larger areas, he says.
Drone Ag’s Jack Wrangham says
crop spraying with drones could be
widespread by 2020 While this would require further legislation
changes, he suggests it would be possible to have tramline-free fields in as little as five to six years’ time.
Visual line of sight Visual line of sight (VLOS) rules operate in most countries and require that the operator can see the drone at all times. Australia is one place where it is possible to go beyond VLOS. In almost all countries a vertical limit of 122m (400ft) is attached to provide a separation distance between the lower limit of manned aircraft at 150m (500ft). In the UK only, VLOS also has a prescribed horizontal distance of 500m (1,650ft). And Mr Gabriel says this is an important
interpretation. “Larger drones can remain visible well
beyond 500m (547 yards). It is, therefore, a restriction on UK users that other countries may not have,” Mr Gabriel says. It is possible to extend distances in the UK
by applying for extended VLOS (Evlos) using an observer who can see the drone and is in
34 ▶ FUTURE FARMING | 9 November 2017
contact with the pilot via radio. For that, permission pilots have to establish
an operating safety case (OCS) with the CAA. “But the amount of paperwork and
restrictions mean only a couple of licences are issued a year,” says Mr Gabriel. Mr Wrangham agrees that it would be
“extremely useful not to have the 500m rule”. “For example, if I am mapping four fields in one flight, the farthest boundary can be well over 800m (875 yards) away. “I can still see the drone, but I have to gather
everything up and move to stay within the 500m rule.” Conversely there are times when nearby
undulations block the line of sight. Sense-and-avoid technology, remote viewing through imaging devices and pre- programmed return-to-home safety measures when the signal drops out, means it is safe to fly in rural areas where there is not much to hit, he says. Further testing of this technology is taking
place next year with the aim of proving beyond line of sight flying is safe.
Benefits of spraying crops using drones
▶ Zero ground compaction ▶ Spraying taller crops (maize) ▶ Access to difficult terrain ▶ Spraying under or around power lines ▶Time saving ▶ Spot spraying ▶ Mix smaller quantities ▶ Lower cost ▶ Reduced environmental impact
In the future, several drones could be sent off to complete tasks such as crop spraying
XINHUA NEWS AGENCY/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
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